Transfer shaft support

ABSTRACT

An assembly includes first and second components, a shaft supported on the components, a gear wheel transmitting torque between a transmission output and a differential mechanism, and a bearing supporting the gear wheel on the shaft, transmitting axial force in a first direction between the gear wheel and the first component, and axial force in a second axial direction opposite the first direction between the gear wheel and the second component.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to an automatic transmission for a motor vehiclethat includes planetary gearsets and clutches and brakes whose state ofengagement and disengagement determines operative speed ratios producedby the transmission.

2. Description of the Prior Art

In a front wheel drive vehicle, the axial space available for thetransmission is limited by the width of the engine compartment and thelength of the engine. In addition, the trend to increase the number ofratios available generally increases the number of components required.For these reasons, it is desirable to position components concentricallyin order to minimize axial length. The ability to position componentsconcentrically is limited, however, by the need to connect particularcomponents mutually and to the transmission case.

Furthermore, it is desirable for the output element to be located nearthe center of the vehicle, which corresponds to the input end of thegear box. An output element located toward the outside of the vehiclemay require additional support structure and add length on the transferaxis. With some kinematic arrangements, however, the need to connectcertain elements to the transmission case requires that the outputelement be so located.

A transmission requires a compact transfer shaft support design. A needexists for a transfer gear assembly, which requires no bearing supportfor the transfer shaft, and a ball bearing, rather than thrust bearings,to react thrust forces in both axial directions. The transfer gear teethare preferably helical teeth.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An assembly includes first and second components, a shaft supported onthe components, a gear wheel transmitting torque between a transmissionoutput and a differential mechanism, and a bearing supporting the gearwheel on the shaft, transmitting axial force in a first directionbetween the gear wheel and the first component, and axial force in asecond axial direction opposite the first direction between the gearwheel and the second component.

The transfer gears are located on the non-rotating shaft on one end andin the clutch housing on the other. A ball bearing and roller bearingprovide radial support to the transfer gears. A washer retained by thenon-rotating shaft allows the ball bearing to react thrust loads in bothdirections, thereby avoiding need for thrust bearings to support thetransfer gear, though it is formed with helical teeth.

Rotating shaft support is usually used for transfer gearing intransaxles, but the non-rotating transfer shaft requires no bearingsupport.

The scope of applicability of the preferred embodiment will becomeapparent from the following detailed description, claims and drawings.It should be understood, that the description and specific examples,although indicating preferred embodiments of the invention, are given byway of illustration only. Various changes and modifications to thedescribed embodiments and examples will become apparent to those skilledin the art.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be more readily understood by reference to thefollowing description, taken with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a cross sectional side view of a multiple speed automatictransaxle;

FIG. 2 is cross sectional side view of the transaxle showing the frontand middle cylinder assemblies;

FIG. 3 is a side perspective view showing sleeves that are fitted on thefront support and middle cylinder assembly, respectively; and

FIG. 4 is a view cross sectional side view of the transfer gears andshaft near the output of the transaxle of FIG. 1.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring now to the drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates gearing, clutches,brakes, shafts, fluid passages, and other components of a multiple-speedautomatic transaxle 10 arranged substantially concentrically about anaxis 11.

A torque converter includes an impeller driven by an engine, a turbinehydrokinetically coupled to the impeller, and a stator between theimpeller and turbine. A transmission input shaft 20 is secured by aspline connection 21 to the turbine. The stator is secured by a splineconnection 22 to a front support 24, which is secured against rotationto a transmission case 26.

A double pinion, speed reduction planetary gearset 28 includes a sungear 30, secured by a spline connection 31 to input shaft 20; a carrier32, secured by a spline connection 33 to the front support 24; a ringgear 34, secured by a spline connection 35 to a front cylinder assembly36; a first set of planet pinions 38 supported on carrier 32 and meshingwith sun gear 30; and a second set of planet pinions 40, supported oncarrier 32 and meshing with ring gear 34 and the first pinions 38. Ringgear 34 rotates in the same direction as input shaft 20 but at a reducedspeed.

Rear gearset 46 and middle gearset 48 are simple planetary gearsets.Gearset 46 includes a set of planet pinion 50 supported for rotation oncarrier 52 and meshing with both sun gear 54 and ring gear 56. Gearset48 includes a set of planet pinions 58 supported for rotation on carrier60 and meshing with both sun gear 62 and ring gear 64. Sun gear 54 issplined to a shaft that is splined to a shell 66, on which shaft sungear 62 is formed, thereby securing the sun gears 54, 62 mutually and tothe shell 66. Carrier 52 is fixed to a shell 68. Carrier 60 and ringgear 56 are fixed to each other and to output pinion 70 through a shell72. Ring gear 64 is fixed to shell 74.

Front cylinder assembly 36, which is fixed to ring gear 34, actuatesclutches 76, 80. Plates for clutch 76 includes plates splined to frontcylinder assembly 36 alternating with plates splined to shell 74. Whenhydraulic pressure is applied to piston 78, the plates are forcedtogether and torque is transmitted between ring gears 34 and 64. Whenthe hydraulic pressure is released, ring gears 34 and 64 may rotate atdifferent speeds with low parasitic drag. Similarly, plates for clutch80 include plates splined to front cylinder assembly 36 alternating withplates splined to shell 66. When hydraulic pressure is applied to piston82, torque is transmitted between ring gear 34 and sun gears 54, 62.Pressurized fluid is routed from a control body 84, through frontsupport 24, into front cylinder assembly 36 between rotating seals.

Middle cylinder assembly 86, which includes carrier 32, actuates brake88. Plates for brake 88 include plates splined to carrier 32 alternatingwith plates splined to shell 66. When hydraulic pressure is applied topiston 90, the brake holds sun gears 54, 62 against rotation.Pressurized fluid is routed from the control body 84, through frontsupport 24, between planet pinions 38, 40, into middle cylinder assembly86. Due to the location of clutch pack 88, output element 70 is locatedin the more favorable position near the front of the gear box.

Rear cylinder assembly 92 is secured by a spline connection 93 fixed toinput shaft 20. When hydraulic pressure is applied to piston 94, theplates of clutch 96 transmit torque between input shaft 20 and carrier52. Similarly, when hydraulic pressure is applied to piston 98, theplates of clutch 100 transmit torque between input shaft 20 and sungears 54, 62. Pressurized fluid is routed from the control body 84, intorear cylinder assembly 92.

When hydraulic pressure is applied to piston 102, brake 104 holdscarrier 52 and shell 68 against rotation. A one-way clutch 106 passivelyprevents carrier 52 and shell 68 from rotating in the negativedirection, but allows them to rotate in the forward direction. One-wayclutch 106 may optionally be omitted and its function performed byactively controlling brake 104.

This arrangement permits brake 88 and clutches 76, 80 to be mutuallyconcentric, located at an axial plane, and located radially outward fromthe planetary gearsets 28, 46, 48 such that they do not add to the axiallength of the gearbox. Similarly, clutches 96, 100 and brake 104 aremutually concentric and located radially outward from the planetarygearing 28, 46, 48. Clutches 76, 80, 96, 100 and brakes 88, 104 comprisethe control elements.

As FIGS. 2A, 2B illustrate, the front cylinder assembly 36 is supportedfor rotation on the fixed front support 24 and carrier 34. The frontcylinder assembly 36 is formed with clutch actuation fluid passages,each passage communicating with one of the cylinders 114, 116 formed inthe front cylinder assembly 36. Cylinder 114 contains piston 78;cylinder 116 contains piston 82. One of the fluid passages in frontcylinder assembly 36 is represented in FIG. 2 by interconnected passagelengths 109, 110, 111, 112, through which cylinder 116 communicates witha source of clutch control hydraulic pressure. Another of the fluidpassages in front cylinder assembly 36, which is similar to passagelengths 109, 110, 111, 112 but spaced angularly about axis 11 frompassage lengths 109, 110, 111, 112, communicates a source of clutchcontrol hydraulic pressure to cylinder 114. Passage lengths 109 aremachined in the surface at the inside diameter of the front cylinderassembly 36.

The front cylinder assembly 36 is also formed with a balance volumesupply passage, similar to, but spaced angularly about axis 11 frompassage lengths 109, 110, 111, 112. The balance volume supply passagecommunicates with balance volumes 120, 122. As shown in FIG. 2A, thebalance volume supply passage includes an axial passage length 124,which communicates with a source of balance volume supply fluid andpressure, and a radial passage length 126, through which fluid flowsinto the balance volumes 120, 122 from passage 124. Passage 124 may be asingle drilled hole extending along a longitudinal axis and locatedbetween the two clutch balance areas of the A clutch and B clutch.Passage 124 carries fluid to cross drilled holes 126, which communicatewith the balance volumes 120, 122.

Coiled compression springs 128, 130, each located in a respectivebalance dam 120, 122, urge the respective piston 78, 82 to the positionshown in FIG. 2. Ring gear 34 is secured to front cylinder assembly 36by a spline connection 132.

Middle cylinder assembly 86 includes carrier 32, which is grounded onthe front support 24. Carrier 32 includes first and second plates 134,135 and pinion shafts secured to the plates, one pinion shaft supportingpinions 38, and the other pinion shaft supporting pinions 40. Plate 135is formed with a cylinder 140 containing a brake piston 90.

A source of brake actuating hydraulic pressure communicates withcylinder 140 through a series on interconnected passage lengths 142, 143and a horizontal passage length that extends axially from passage 143,through a web of carrier 32, between the sets of planet pinions 38, 40,to cylinder 140. These brake feed passages are formed in carrier 32.When actuating pressure is applied to cylinder 140, piston 90 forces theplates of brake 88 into mutual frictional contact, thereby holding sungears 54, 62 and shell 66 against rotation. A Belleville spring 146returns piston 90 to the position shown in FIG. 2, when actuatingpressure is vented from cylinder 140.

The front support 24 is formed with passages, preferably spaced mutuallyabout axis 11. These passages in front support 24 are represented in theFIGS. 1 and 2 by passage lengths 150, 151, 152, through which hydraulicfluid is supplied to clutch servo cylinders 114, 116, brake servocylinder 140, and balance dams 120, 122. A passage of each of the frontsupport passages communicates hydraulic fluid and pressure to cylinders114, 116 and balance dams 120, 122 of the front cylinder assembly 36through the fluid passages 109, 110, 111, 112, 113, 124 formed in thefront cylinder assembly 36. Another passage of each of the front supportpassages communicates hydraulic fluid and pressure to cylinder 140 ofthe middle cylinder assembly 86 through the fluid passages 142, 143 incarrier 32.

The front support 24 includes a bearing support shoulder 154, whichextends axially and over an axial extension 156 of the front cylinderassembly 36. A bushing 158 and bearing 160 provide for rotation of thefront cylinder assembly 36 relative to the front support 24. Thisarrangement of the front support 24, its bearing support shoulder 154,and front cylinder assembly 36, however, prevents radial access requiredto machine a passage or passages that would connect first passage 152 infront support 24 to the second passage 109 in the front cylinderassembly 36.

To overcome this problem and provide hydraulic continuity betweenpassage lengths 109, 152, first passage 152 is formed with an openingthat extends along a length of first passage 152, parallel to axis 11,and through an outer wall of the front support 24. The opening facesradially outward toward second passage 109. Similarly, second passage109 is formed with a second opening that extends along a length ofsecond passage 109, parallel to axis 11, and through an inner wall ofthe front cylinder assembly 36. The second opening faces radially inwardtoward first passage 152.

A first sleeve 162 is inserted axially with a press fit over a surfaceat an outer diameter of the front support 24, thereby covering theopening at the outer surface of passage length 152. Sleeve 162 is formedwith radial passages 164, 165, which extend through the thickness of thesleeve 162. Seals 176, located at each side of the passages 164, 165prevent leakage of fluid from the passages.

A second sleeve 170 is inserted axially with a press fit over the secondopening at the inside diameter of the front cylinder assembly 36,thereby covering and enclosing the length of the second opening in thesecond passage 109. Sleeve 170 is formed with radial openings, two ofwhich are represented in FIG. 2 by openings 172, 174, aligned with theradial passages 164, 165 formed in the first sleeve 162.

Sleeves 164 and 170 provides hydraulic continuity from the source offluid pressure carried in the passages of the front support 24 to thebalance dams 120, 122 and the servo cylinders 114, 116, 140, throughwhich clutches 76, 80 and brake 88 are actuated.

Sleeves 162, 170 also provide access that enables machining of the firstand second passages 152, 109 in the surface at the outside diameter offront support 24 and in the surface at the inside diameter of the frontcylinder assembly 36. FIG. 3 shows sleeves 162, 170 and three seals 176,which are fitted in recesses on sleeve 162 between each of its radialpassages 164, 165.

As FIG. 4 shows output pinion 70 meshes with a transfer gear 180, whichis formed integrally with transfer pinion 182 on a transfer wheel 184. Atransfer shaft 186, is secured at one end by a pinned connection 188 toa non-rotating housing component 190, and at the opposite end is seatedin a recess 192 formed in a non-rotating torque converter housingcomponent 194. Ball bearing 198 supports transfer wheel 184 on thetorque converter housing 194. Housing components 190, 194 comprise areaction component and may be formed integrally or preferably asseparate components.

Ball bearing 198 is supported radially by being seated on a surface 196of the torque converter housing 194. A shoulder 199 on torque converterhousing 194 contacts the right-hand axial surface of the inner race ofbearing 198, the second surface of bearing 198. A snap ring 200 contactsthe right-hand axial third surface 201 of the outer race of bearing 198.Shoulder 199 and snap ring 200 limit rightward axial movement of bearing198.

A shoulder 202 formed on gear wheel 184 contacts the left-hand axialfirst surface of the outer race of bearing 198. A thrust washer 204contacts a left-hand axial fourth surface 205 of the inner race ofbearing 198. The thrust washer 204 contacts a shoulder 206 formed ontransfer shaft 186. Shoulders 202 and 206 limit leftward axial movementof bearing 198

The ring gear 210 of a differential mechanism 212 meshes with transferpinion 182 and is supported for rotation by bearings 214, 216 on housing190, 194. Rotating power transmitted to output pinion 70 is transmittedthrough transfer gears 180, 182 and ring gear 210 to the input ofdifferential, which drives a set of vehicle wheels aligned with axis220.

A roller bearing 222 supports transfer wheel 184 on transfer shaft 186.The thickness of a washer 224, fitted in a recess 226 of housing 190, isselected to ensure contact between thrust washer 204 and the inner raceof bearing 198.

The output pinion 70 and transfer gears 180, 182 have helical gearteeth, which produce thrust force components in the axial directionparallel to axis 220 and in the radial direction, normal to the plane ofFIG. 5, which transmitting torque. A thrust force in the right-handdirection transmitted to the transfer gear wheel 184 is reacted by thetorque converter housing 194 due to its contact at shoulder 199 withbearing 198. A thrust force in the left-hand direction transmitted tothe transfer gear wheel 184 is reacted by the housing 190 due to contactbetween snap ring 200 and bearing 198, contact between bearing 198 andthrust washer 204, contact between the thrust washer and transfer shaft186, and contact between shaft 186, washer 224 and housing 190.

In accordance with the provisions of the patent statutes, the preferredembodiment has been described. However, it should be noted that thealternate embodiments can be practiced otherwise than as specificallyillustrated and described.

1. An assembly, comprising: first and second components; a shaftsupported on the components; a gear wheel transmitting torque between atransmission output and a differential mechanism; and a bearingsupporting the gear wheel on the first component, transmitting axialforce in a first direction between the gear wheel and the firstcomponent, and axial force in a second axial direction opposite thefirst direction between the gear wheel and the second component.
 2. Theassembly of claim 1, wherein the bearing includes: a first racecontacting the gear wheel; a second race contacting the first component;and a series of balls engaged with the first and second races.
 3. Theassembly of claim 1, wherein the bearing includes a first racecontacting the gear wheel, a second race contacting the first component,and a series of balls engaged with the first and second races; andfurther comprising a first washer contacting the second race and shaftfor transmitting axial force in the second direction therebetween. 4.The assembly of claim 1, further comprising a second washer contactingthe shaft and the second component, the second washer setting an axialspacing between the second component and the first washer.
 5. Theassembly of claim 1, wherein: the first and the second components areheld against rotation; and the shaft is secured to one of the first andsecond components.
 6. An assembly, comprising: first and secondcomponents fixed against axial displacement; a shaft supported on thecomponents; a gear wheel formed with helical gear teeth; a bearingsupporting the gear wheel on the first component, including a firstsurface contacting the gear wheel, at which first surface axial force istransmitted in a first direction between the gear wheel and the bearing;and a second surface contacting the first component, at which secondsurface axial force is transmitted in the first direction between thebearing and the first component.
 7. The assembly of claim 6, wherein:the first surface is on a first race of the bearing; and the secondsurface is on a second race of the bearing.
 8. The assembly of claim 6,further comprising: a first washer contacting the shaft; a ring securedto the gear wheel and contacting the bearing; the bearing including athird surface contacting the ring, at which third surface axial force istransmitted in a second axial direction between the gear wheel and thebearing, and a fourth surface contacting the washer, at which fourthsurface axial force is transmitted in the second axial direction betweenthe bearing and the first washer.
 9. The assembly of claim 8, wherein:the third surface is on a first race of the bearing; and the secondsurface is on a second race of the bearing.
 10. The assembly of claim 6,wherein: the gear wheel is formed with a first and second sets of gearteeth, the first set engaged with a transmission output, the second setengaged with a ring gear of a differential mechanism.
 11. The assemblyof claim 6, further comprising a second washer contacting the shaft andsecond component, the second washer setting an axial spacing between thesecond component and the second washer.
 12. The assembly of claim 6,wherein: the first and the second components are held against rotation;and the shaft is secured to one of the first and second components. 13.An assembly, comprising: a shaft supported against axial displacement; agear wheel formed with gear teeth; a bearing supporting the gear wheel,providing a reaction to axial force carried by the gear wheel in a firstdirection, and providing a reaction to axial force carried by the gearwheel in a second axial direction opposite the first direction; and asecond bearing supporting the gear wheel on the shaft.
 14. The assemblyof claim 13, wherein the bearing includes a first race contacting thegear wheel, a second race contacting a first reaction component; and aseries of balls engaged with the first and second races.
 15. Theassembly of claim 13, wherein the bearing includes a first racecontacting the gear wheel, a second race contacting a first reactioncomponent, and a series of balls engaged with the first and secondraces; and further comprising a first washer contacting the second raceand the shaft for transmitting axial force in the second directiontherebetween.
 16. The assembly of claim 15, further comprising a secondwasher contacting the shaft and a second reaction component, the secondwasher setting an axial spacing between the second reaction componentand the first washer.
 17. The assembly of claim 16, wherein: thereaction components are secured against axial displacement; and theshaft is secured to one of the first and the second reaction components.18. The assembly of claim 13, wherein the gear wheel is formed withhelical gear teeth.
 19. The assembly of claim 13, further comprising asnap ring secured to the first reaction component, contacting thebearing and limiting axial displacement of the bearing relative to thegear wheel.